Galatians 5:12-26; Galatians 6; Ephesians 1:1-18

12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,5for each one should carry his own load.6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,